UPDATE: House fire on Eighth Street ruled accidental

A photo of one of the structures burned on North Eighth Street in Wilmington on Friday. (Source: Wilmington Fire Department)

A photo of one of the structures burned on North Eighth Street in Wilmington on Friday. (Source: Wilmington Fire Department)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -

A house fire that caused significant damage to two residences in Wilmington Friday morning has been ruled accidental.

In an email sent Friday afternoon, investigators with Wilmington and New Hanover County fire units said the origin of the fire at a residence on 509 North Eighth Street was in the back porch area. When crews arrived, flames and smoke were visible from the rear of the structure. The fire extended to the vinyl siding and into the attic of the adjacent structure at 507 North Eighth Street.

The fire, which was reported shortly before 11:30 a.m., was extinguished by 1:30 p.m., but both structures have been determined to be uninhabitable. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.